Series Finale!

For my series finale I spoke to Gillian and Graeme from the Veterans Comedy Club. They talk about how comedy has helped them through the process of leaving the forces and processing darker times.

Comedy isn't everyone's first thought on how to work with your mental health, however, Graeme is very open about his circumstances and how comedy allowed him to take back his power from darker mental health.

Creating a community on this side of the fence supporting each other and just being able to understand each other is the centre of what they do.

Their aim is to be able to put on a free event for veterans so they can continue to build this community.

May the banter be with you 🙏

#comedy #military #militarybanter #veterans #laughter

This week I spoke to Sarah Parkinson from The Ripple Pond. This charity exists to support injured veterans and their families whether the injury is physical, psychological, emotional or moral.

Sarah speaks openly about how support is required for the whole family unit to help navigate life after the forces. Speaking honestly about her own experiences with her partner and children.

As much as you are a military family when serving navigating outside also requires a family.

If you wish to reach out to The Ripple Pond they have a website and are on social media.

www.theripplepond.org

Special Episode!

This week I spoke to Kate England and Paul Tyson who are fighting tirelessly for veterans with brain injuries.

Kate is at the forefront in fighting for veterans who are suffering from brain injuries due to their service in the military. Since seeing at first hand the struggles her husband has had trying to be diagnosed and treated Kate has become his warrior and subsequently the warrior for all of us.

Kate talks openly about the struggles she has had personally and professionally fighting to be heard. Through medical systems that just don't link together to medical diagnosis paths that will not be authorised it has been a long struggle.

Paul Tyson a senior news editor for ITN and a veteran was directed to Kate's story through a colleague and has been with her ever since. Seeing this through his reporter lens Paul discusses what he has seen working against veterans with these injuries.

There is a UK National Veteran Brain Health Symposium taking place at Nottingham University 11 June 2026 if you are interested in going please see the link below:

https://store.nottingham.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/conferences/schools-and-departments/engineering/uk-national-veteran-brain-health-symposium

If you would like to contact Kate she is available on LinkedIn.

Episode 2 of the Period and Policies Series

This week I spoke to Dr Antony Willman who has dedicated many years to researching and teaching women's health. With experience as a GP in the civilian world and military world Dr Antony Willman really has a unique view into serving and veteran personnel.

Dr Antony Willman also highlights the amount of research that is going into serving women's health. This work is going on without a lot of us even realising but the dedication and motivation is very real, and without people like Dr Willman the strides that have already been made wouldn't happen.

Keep up the great work!

This week I spoke to Adi Harper who talked about his transition out of the army and searching for that job that fit. Not only that Adi has started to build his own business as well after finding work on the outside.

Adi was a recommended guest from a listener to the show, and I am so glad that he was. Adi shows how you can get that great role in a place you didn't expect to find it as well as still pursuing a self made business dream.

Go take a listen!

#veterans #transition #civillianlife #selfemployed #buildyourlife

This week I got to talk to Guy Di Salvo who after being in the military had a successful career in the fire service until retirement.

Guy talks about his transition out of the forces into the fire service and the great opportunities the service has. The fire service does see a lot of military veterans and builds a community within it which some veterans do miss, not only that they become a part of the community they are stationed within which gives a sense of belonging.

Search Fire Service Jobs to find jobs near you.

Episode 2 Cognitio Connect Series

This week I spoke to John Dee the other half Cognitio Connect who left the Intelligence Corps as a late entry officer getting to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

John speaks about his experiences on leaving after 30+ years of service and shows that there are struggles at all ranks.

He now works tirelessly to support intelligence leavers through their leaving process to make things better for the next generations.

Go check out their website if you are interested in their support:

www.cognitioconnect.com

This week I spoke to Jim owner of Tier 1 Coaching. As an ex-Royal Marine Jim spoke about the highs and lows of leaving the forces.

From the struggles of setting up the business while serving, to personal hardships that hit during that transition period.

Personally I am a firm believer in ex-military setting up their own businesses and Jim is another one proving how successful we can become.

Thank you Jim for your honesty about this time in your life and sharing your mindset that got you through.

Go check him out on Instagram @jim_tier1

Or on his website: www.tier1coaching.co.uk